How to Create a Tall Floral Arrangement

Create a Tall Arrangement

• 1

  Assess the location for the flowers ahead of time. Consider the space available, the colors of the room, preferences of the people involved, and other factors, such as harmonizing with bride and bridesmaid's colors for a wedding.

• 2

  Select the flowers. Flowers with strong stems are the easiest to work with: long-stemmed roses, sunflowers, and iris; line flowers (single stems with multiple blooms), such as gladiola, hollyhock, and bells of Ireland; and tropical flowers, such as ginger and bird of paradise. Choose greens in proportion to the flowers (for example, vines and large leaves such as Calla lily). Pick out some filler flowers, if desired. For a wedding arrangement, babies breath or Saint Anne's lace filling in between large blooms creates a romantic effect. Tropical arrangements work well with only large flowers and greens.

• 3

  Choose and prepare the container. Pick a vase almost ½ the height you want the finished arrangement to be. This will help support the weight of the flowers. With strong-stemmed flowers such as birds of paradise, a short container may be used. Clean the vase well and place floral foam in the bottom of it.

• 4

  Create the arrangement. Start with a tall center flower. Angle slightly shorter blooms near it, pressing each stem into the foam with steady pressure. To support numerous blooms, cross the stems, or use a criss-cross of floral tape across the top of the vase as a grid to keep the blooms in place. Add greens to set off the flowers.

• 5

  Check the design from different sides and balance the use of color and size of flowers. Add filler flowers if desired. Add water and floral preservative. Enjoy.